Where do you come from and won\u2019t you tell us more about your life? My name is Monique van Doorn (58), born and raised in the Netherlands. I am a kindergarten teacher by training. I am married and we have two children, a boy and girl. In 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After I was finished with all the medical treatments and declared cancer free, I came to the conclusion that my life had to change. When our kids left home to study abroad we sold our house and everything in it. We wanted to travel, explore the world, meet new people, be inspired and make new memories, but we still had to work. So we started living the life of working modern nomads. For my husband and me that means we have deliberately chosen an ever-moving lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When did you start to paint and how did you discover you had talent? I started painting after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. For me, painting was therapeutic. It helped me get my mind off the treatments and the fear of dying. I never seriously thought about painting or drawing before, but I discovered I had the ability and loved it. When busy with my artwork I forget everything. Now as a survivor I still enjoy drawing and made it my new career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What medium do you prefer and why? Because I have to travel light I can carry only pencils, charcoal and a sketchbook with me. The rest I need I buy locally. I often incorporate gold leaf in my artwork to celebrate the value of animals. I want them to live freely in their natural habitat. This, for me, is something that is worth its weight in gold. For the finished artwork I always try to find a gallery or farm shop that will showcase and sell my art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do you love South Africa\/ Hermanus? We visited Hermanus for the first time in 2013. This beautiful little town in the stunning Overberg mountains and the deep blue ocean captured our hearts. It has everything we need \u2013 fresh air, friendly people, good food and fantastic wines. We love outdoor activities, for instance hiking at Fernkloof, walking along the Cliff Path, looking for dassies<\/i> and whales or walk on our bare feet on the white sandy beaches. Also, the weather is perfect all year round, summers are not too hot and winters not too cold. That\u2019s why we love to visit Hermanus as often as we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the highlights in your life? For me, some big highlights where beating breast cancer and selling our house, so I felt finally free. Now my life has lots of little highlights because it is just the way I want it to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are your future plans? When we are ready to settle down, I would like to live in a tiny house on a farm. Until then, we keep travelling and enjoying the life we created for ourselves. Because for me, the ultimate luxury is enjoying a nice glass of wine and looking at nature in all its glory, for now and in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To whom do you look up and why? My current line of drawings is a tribute to the respect we should have for nature. To protect animals against extinction. I gladly support by giving 10% of my art sales to The Black Mambas, the world\u2019s first all-women anti-poaching unit. Their goal is to upskill local communities and protect wildlife. https:\/\/instagram.com\/theblackmambas<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is your motto in life? My personal motto is; live life to its fullest and have fun. My professional motto is education is key in protecting animals from extinction. I try to incorporate this into my artwork. Nature can survive without humans, but humans cannot survive without nature.For more information on Van Doorn, visit www.facebook.com\/MoniquevanDoornLittleSecret or www.instagram.com\/littlesecretbymonique\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Revelling in eternal wanderlust, Hollander Monique van Doorn, a kindergarten teacher by training, loves to visit Hermanus. 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